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Missing Penticton teen found

Missing Penticton teen Evander Van De Sype has been found healthy and unharmed according to RCMP.

Cpl. Dan Moskaluk said the 15-year-old was found around 10:30 a.m. Sunday morning following an overnight search effort by Penticton RCMP and Penticton search and rescue.

"The RCMP Southeast district air services helicopter spotted 15-year-old Evander Van De Sype sitting by a creek bed in the Ridgedale Avenue area of Penticton," said Moskaluk.

Van De Sype was reported missing on Saturday afternoon around 2:30 p.m. and was last seen in the Wellington Street area at his home.

Moskaluk said the teen essentially walked away yesterday and even though he was outside all night he is "healthy."

"We are very fortunate he was found considering the terrain at Ridgedale canyon," said Moskaluk.

RCMP said the teen has Down Syndrome and a mental capacity of a five-year-old. He does not communicate verbally, is deaf and mute and uses sign language. Van De Sype was last seen wearing a blue Nike t-shirt with a basketball logo, black sweat pants and black loafers. RCMP said the teen is familiar with the Ellis Street area near Penticton Secondary School.

"Yesterday afternoon local media assisted in disseminating the information, Penticton search and rescue was activated yesterday afternoon and the police dog service team. The search carried on throughout the night with door-to-door canvassing and rural, urban-type ground search was conducted along with air services this morning," said Moskaluk.

Homeowners were being asked to search their residences and backyards.

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